VZCZCXRO7139
OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR
DE RUEHWR #0058/01 0251546
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 251546Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY WARSAW
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9373
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 WARSAW 000058 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/CE, SCA, NEA, EAP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2020 
TAGS: PREL PHUM EUN PL
SUBJECT: POLISH VIEWS ON JANUARY 25-26 EU FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
COUNCIL 
 
REF: EUR/ERA E-MAIL 01/15/2010 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Daniel Sainz for reasons 
1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1. (C) SUMMARY:  Poland's EU Correspondent predicted the 
January 25-26 Foreign Affairs Council would focus mainly on 
EU assistance to Haiti, an area where new HighRep Ashton 
seems to have carved out a leading role.  Poland supports 
Spanish Presidency plans to enhance EU engagement with 
Afghanistan and Pakistan, and will continue to press to 
ensure that the EU strategy complements the U.S. strategy, 
particularly with respect to civilian reconstruction.  Poland 
will lobby other member states to merge the office of the EU 
Special Representative with that of the head of the EU 
delegation and to ensure that a prominent figure be named to 
the new double-hatted position.  On Iran, Poland continues to 
press other member states to work to develop EU autonomous 
measures that will enhance UN sanctions.  Poland remains 
concerned about the internal situation in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina, especially Srpska Republika authorities' use of 
inflammatory rhetoric to undermine Bosnia and Herzegovina as 
a state.  That said, Poland hopes the EU military mission 
will soon transition to training and advising activities. 
Poland believes the African Union should continue to take the 
lead in Somalia, with EU support. On Ukraine, Poland will 
continue to call for strategic discussions on how the EU as a 
whole can engage more effectively.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (C) PolOff delivered ref points January 20 to MFA EU 
Correspondent Cyryl Kozaczewski, who responded with a summary 
of Poland's positions for the January 25 EU Foreign Affairs 
Council (FAC).  Kozaczewski noted this will be the first FAC 
formally chaired by High Representative Ashton.  The GOP has 
thus far been positively impressed with Ashton's engagement 
in EU foreign policy.  Especially with respect to Haiti, 
Ashton "has projected a leading role for herself," he said. 
While Spanish Presidency officials continue to preside over 
meetings of the various coordination bodies -- e.g., PSC, 
COREPER -- Ashton and her staff have been more engaged than 
many EU member states expected. 
 
HAITI 
 
¶3. (C) Kozaczewski predicted ministers would spend most of 
their time discussing EU assistance to Haiti.  The GOP will 
push for close U.S.-EU coordination, something Poland views 
as "essential."  EU institutions have managed "relatively 
well," even though the post-Lisbon Treaty division of 
responsibilities is "still fuzzy," he said.  Kozaczewski 
stressed Poland's commitment to provide assistance, but 
expressed disappointment that the GOP had neglected to 
mention in-kind assistance and anticipated contributions via 
Brussels when publicly announcing Poland's financial 
contribution of 50,000 USD -- "we need to improve our own 
internal coordination." 
 
AFGHANISTAN 
 
¶4. (C) Kozaczewski said the London Conference should send a 
clear message that a "transition phase" in Afghanistan has 
begun -- i.e., ISAF is starting to hand over to the Afghan 
government responsibility for security and governance. 
Poland supports the Spanish Presidency's plans with regard to 
a "realistic and proportional enhancement" of EU engagement 
in Afghanistan and Pakistan.  Any EU strategy should 
complement the U.S. strategy, with an emphasis on 
strengthening civilian reconstruction efforts.  The March 
expiration of the EU Special Representative's mandate 
presents an opportunity to merge that office with that of the 
head of the European delegation in Kabul.  The new 
double-hatted position should be filled by a person with 
considerable political experience, who comes from a country 
making a significant contribution to the international 
coalition in Afghanistan.  Kozaczewski did not say whether 
Poland had a specific candidate in mind. 
 
IRAN 
 
¶5. (C)  Kozaczewski said Poland's position on Iran was 
unchanged.  Poland continues to press other member states to 
work to develop EU autonomous measures that will enhance UN 
sanctions.  Asked about EU member state engagement of China 
and Russia on Iran sanctions, Kozaczewski said member states 
were inclined to "play a supporting role," in part because 
they believe the U.S. has more leverage. 
 
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 
 
¶6. (C) Poland remains concerned about the internal situation 
 
WARSAW 00000058  002 OF 002 
 
 
in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially Srpska Republika 
authorities' use of inflammatory rhetoric to undermine Bosnia 
and Herzegovina as a state, Kozaczewski said.  The EU should 
consistently urge political leaders to refocus their 
attention on genuine priorities, i.e., implementation of the 
five objectives and two conditions (5 2) set by the Peace 
Implementation Council and other EU-related reforms.  Visa 
liberalization is an issue which shows that political leaders 
can find common ground for compromise when they see the 
necessity. 
 
¶7. (C) On Operation Althea, Kozaczewski said Poland believes 
the EU's military presence is still needed, but that the EU 
should focus on training and advising activities.  The 
transformation of the mission should not be linked to the 
closure of the Office of the High Representative (OHR). 
These are two independent processes and the transformation of 
EUFOR, "logical under current circumstances," should not be 
held hostage to the OHR issue. 
 
SOMALIA 
 
¶8. (C) Kozaczewski said that while the training of Somali 
forces should be led by the African Union (AMISOM mission), 
the EU should also be engaged.  Emphasis on African ownership 
will have a positive impact on EU effectiveness and guarantee 
continued training by African countries. 
 
UKRAINE 
 
¶9. (C) Kozaczewski expressed regret that the Spanish 
Presidency had taken Ukraine off the agenda.  Poland will 
continue to press member states to issue positive Conclusions 
on the first round of presidential elections, which Poland 
assesses as generally fair.  Poland will also continue to 
advocate for more strategic discussions on how the EU as a 
whole can engage Ukraine. 
FEINSTEIN